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The Verge
5 minutes ago
- The Verge
Ready or not, age verification is rolling out across the internet
On July 25th, the UK became one of the first countries to widely implement age verification. Its Online Safety Act requires sites hosting porn and other content deemed 'harmful' — including Reddit, Discord, Grindr, X, and Bluesky — to verify that users are over the age of 18. The early results have been chaotic. While many services have complied, some have pulled out of the country rather than face the risk and expense. Users have tricked the verification tools or bypassed them with VPNs. It's just a taste of the issues that many other countries might face as they launch their own systems, and it's a situation that privacy and security experts have long warned about — to little avail. Following a yearslong political push to make the internet safer for kids, age verification has started seeping into online spaces across the globe. Lawmakers in the US, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere have all passed age-gating rules, and platforms have begun to comply. The likely methods for verification are similar to those in the UK. Platforms typically ask users to either enter a payment card, upload a government-issued ID, take a selfie, or allow a platform to use their data (like account creation dates and user connections) to 'estimate' their age. Most rely on third-party services: Bluesky uses the Epic Games-owned Kids Web Services; Reddit is working with Persona; and Discord has partnered with k-ID. The outcome so far is an assortment of online services handling sensitive user information — a 'privacy nightmare,' says Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union. 'There is no standardization of how age verification is supposed to take place.' Some age verification platforms promise to erase your data after a certain period of time, like the seven days that Persona says it will keep the information used to verify your age on Reddit. But there's no guarantee every service will do this, and there are still massive security risks given how common data breaches have become. Last year, a security researcher found that AU10TIX — an identity verification solution used by TikTok, Uber, and X — left user information and driver's license photos exposed for months, 404 Media reported. Governments are plowing toward the future of an age-gated internet 'When uploading your ID ... you are handing it over to a third party,' Venzke says. 'You're going to take their word that they're going to delete it or remove it after they're done using it.' Despite these potential pitfalls, governments are plowing toward the future of an age-gated internet anyway. In addition to a crackdown in the UK, the European Union is hurdling toward a broad rollout of digital IDs, Australia is age-gating search engines, and users in many US states need IDs to access porn sites. Age verification was long viewed as unconstitutional in the US, but the Supreme Court overturned that precedent earlier in 2025, concluding 'adults have no First Amendment right to avoid age verification' if it's meant to protect underage users from 'obscene' content. Several states, including Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Texas, have implemented laws requiring verification measures on adult websites. Some have tried to extend this to social media or app stores as a whole, but so far, they've failed — lawsuits filed by NetChoice, a technology trade group backed by Google, Meta, X, Amazon, Discord, and other tech giants, have successfully blocked bills in California, Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, and Florida. As in the UK, there's no guarantee against privacy and security breaches for states with age verification laws, and there's little standardization in this bevy of rules. Efforts in the US also coincide with escalating government digital surveillance and attempts to declare expressions of LGBTQ sexuality, like drag shows, as obscene, raising the risks of handing over personal data even further. Not all age verification efforts entrust users' privacy to third-party services with a host of different methods. The EU is trialing not only age-gating requirements, but also government-managed digital IDs. It has started testing an age verification system prototype designed to 'bridge the gap' before digital IDs arrive by the end of next year. The solution will allow users to upload their passport or government ID card to a government-built system, which then generates a 'proof of age attestation' that is passed to sites. Sites can also use the customer identification methods employed by banks and mobile carriers. The goal is that users can upload sensitive information to a single system that can be held to a high privacy standard and is simple for sites to use. Though having a centralized age verification solution may prevent users from having to pass their information through multiple verification services, plenty of questions remain regarding surveillance and accessibility. Aside from the ever-present possibility of data breaches, digital IDs may also restrict undocumented individuals from accessing content online. And, without the proper safeguards, digital identity systems may still 'phone home' to the ID's issuer when a user's age is verified, potentially allowing providers to track online activity. 'If I pull up my ID at the liquor store, the DMV doesn't know that, but with digital identification, there's a potential for that,' says Alexis Hancock, the director of engineering at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Down the line, the EU says it plans to enhance the framework with technology called zero-knowledge proof (ZKP). This is a cryptographic verification method that allows a service to prove something is true or false without revealing any additional information, as outlined by the EFF. That means an app could verify that a user is over the age of 18 without disclosing their exact birthdate. Google has already built a ZKP system into Google Wallet and has since open-sourced the technology, which it's encouraging EU members to adopt. Even with ZKP in place, Hancock says that there are still concerns about what sites and apps can ask for information about a user's age. 'I haven't seen anything remotely promising at the moment that actually reels in verifiers in particular,' Hancock says. 'There's not a lot of scope restriction on who can actually ask for this and if it's even needed in some cases.' Lawmakers and regulators have argued that there are overwhelming benefits to protecting children from harmful content or exploitative social media platforms. Melanie Dawes, the chief executive of Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, boasted that 'prioritizing clicks and engagement over children's online safety will no longer be tolerated in the UK,' and US lawmakers and regulators have declared porn and social media a public health crisis. 'Putting in place commonsense guardrails that protect our kids from the dangers of social media is critical for their future and America's future,' Sen. Katie Britt said in an announcement about the Kids Off Social Media Act. While keeping kids safe online is important, this messaging downplays or ignores the ripple effects. Right now, there just isn't any clear-cut way to verify someone's age online without risking a leak of personal information or hampering access to the internet. Until lawmakers stop and think about the bigger picture, everyone's privacy is going to be at risk. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Emma Roth Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Analysis Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Features Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Policy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Privacy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Security Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Speech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
The South African
5 minutes ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs fixtures in August: Five matches in 20 days
Kaizer Chiefs' second Betway Premiership season under coach Nasreddine Nabi starts on Sunday, 10 August, with a challenging away fixture against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium. Kaizer Chiefs then host Polokwane City at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, 13 August, in what should be a more favourable fixture. It will be their first home game and an opportunity to build momentum in front of their fans. Another home game will follow on Tuesday, 19 August against Richards Bay. Kaizer Chiefs will be expected to collect maximum points before facing their biggest challenge of the month. Also read: Amakhosi to have a new number 11 and 6 Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele playing for Amakhosi against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership Soweto derby. Image: Sowetan On Wednesday, 27 August, Amakhosi will face the champions. Mamelodi Sundowns will be at home at the Loftus Versfeld. This match will be a crucial test of Amakhosi's competitiveness and could shape the direction of their campaign. Also read: Kaizer Chiefs news: R3 million fee and eight decisions Amakhosi will wrap up the month with an away clash against Golden Arrows on Saturday, 30 August at King Zwelithini Stadium. With five matches in just 20 days, Kaizer Chiefs will be truly tested. Will they set the right tone for the season? Summary: 10 August (Sun): Stellenbosch FC (Away) Stellenbosch FC (Away) 13 August (Wed): Polokwane City (Home) Polokwane City (Home) 19 August (Tue): Richards Bay (Home) Richards Bay (Home) 27 August (Wed): Mamelodi Sundowns (Away) Mamelodi Sundowns (Away) 30 August (Sat): Golden Arrows (Away). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Matthew Berry's Overall Top 200 for 2025 fantasy football season
With proven mobility on the ground and an improved offensive line in place, Caleb Williams is firmly on the radar as a contender for Matthew Berry's 2025 'Ride or Die' pick. With NFL training camps now in full swing and preseason just around the corner, here are my Top 200 overall players for the 2025 fantasy football season. While these rankings are obviously adaptable, they are intended for 1 QB redraft leagues with full PPR scoring. This big board should also always be used in conjunction with my positional rankings, which you can find here (link). Early on in drafts it's easy to simply take the best player available, but as you get into the later rounds, you're going to need to balance your roster and prioritize individual positions. And remember, you know your league better than I do, so adjust as needed. My rankings tend to skew WR heavy, but if your league loves to draft RBs early, you need to account for that. It doesn't make sense to start your team with Nico Collins and Brian Thomas Jr. if you think the best player available for the next five rounds will also be a WR. You're better off taking Derrick Henry or De'Von Achane with at least one of those picks and scooping up the WR value later. Similarly, I tend to be very high on rookies – it's the easiest way to find upside late in drafts. But if you're in a league that is more cautious with rookies, understand that you can likely get Tre Harris and Jayden Higgins a lot later than I have them ranked. I'll continue to adjust these rankings throughout August as news comes out and depth charts change so make sure to check back for the latest updates. And as always, please let me know what you think of the rankings – what you agree with, what you don't – on social media where I am @MatthewBerryTMR on all platforms (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky) except the Bleacher Nation Fantasy App where I am merely @MatthewBerry. I'm sure you have opinions on who is too high and who is too low, so hit me up! Matthew Berry's Top 200 Overall Rankings
The South African
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Another collar for SAPS' political killings task team
The South African Police Service's (SAPS') political killings task team has added more arrests to its long list of achievements. This time, the team has arrested two additional suspects, aged 56 and 26, in connection with the murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. Ndlovu, who served as a councillor in the uMngeni Local Municipality, was shot and killed in December 2023 at his home in Mpophomeni, Howick. The 56-year-old has been identified as a traditional healer while the 26-year-old is alleged to have coordinated the councillor's assassination while incarcerated at Pietermaritzburg Prison. They are expected to appear before the Howick Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 31 July. According to police reports, the two will join a pair of previously arrested suspects already charged in connection with Ndlovu's murder. The group faces charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Since July 2018, over 130 individuals have been convicted for politically motivated crimes, including the murders and attempted murders of councillors. These convictions have involved both hitmen and those who issued hit orders. Earlier this month, the political task team secured the conviction of former African National Congress (ANC) Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa's killer to 25 years' imprisonment. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently praised the task team for its 'tremendous work' and urged the Commission of Inquiry to act with urgency following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi. Mkwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police investigations and colluding in efforts to disband the Political Killings Task Team. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The South African
2 hours ago
- Climate
- The South African
SAWS issues severe weather warning for cold, wet and windy Thursday
The SAWS has issued a series of warnings for Thursday, 31 July, as cold, wet, and windy weather is expected to impact multiple provinces. Image: Wikimedia Commons The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of warnings for Thursday, 31 July, as cold, wet, and windy weather is expected to impact multiple provinces, including the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. A high-pressure system ridging behind a cold front will bring: Very cold to wet and windy conditions in: Cape Winelands Central Karoo Little Karoo Namakwa District (Northern Cape) Residents are urged to take extra care of livestock and pets, and ensure adequate shelter from freezing temperatures. Western Cape coast (Thursday – Friday): Waves: 4-6 metres 4-6 metres Wave period: 10-13 seconds 10-13 seconds Areas affected: From Saldanha Bay to Cape Agulhas in the morning, spreading to Plettenberg Bay and Alexander Bay later in the day From in the morning, spreading to and later in the day Wind speeds: 40-60km/h along southern and southwestern coastlines KwaZulu-Natal coast (Thursday – Friday): Winds: Strong southerly to south-westerly winds Strong southerly to south-westerly winds Speed: 25-35 knots, gusting up to 40 knots 25-35 knots, gusting up to 40 knots Affected areas: Port Edward to Mtunzini Thursday night, spreading to Kosi Bay by Friday Impact risks: Navigation hazards for small vessels Increased risk of capsising Localised disruption to harbour/port activities Beachfront disruptions expected Interior (Thursday) Light snow expected on high ground Road icing likely due to sub-zero temperatures Risk of traffic disruption at night East coast (Thursday – Friday): Gale-force W/SW winds Wave height: 4.5m to 6.5 metres, persisting for more than 24 hours 4.5m to 6.5 metres, persisting for more than 24 hours Possible impact: Dangerous seas, port disruptions, beach closures, and threats to small boats Avoid travel in snow-prone or high-wind areas where possible Use heating devices safely – never leave open flames unattended Secure outdoor items that may become hazardous in strong winds Mariners and beachfront operators should monitor updates and avoid unnecessary operations Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Ithuba celebrates graduation milestone of Bursary Programme Beneficiaries.
